Lamp Unit and Vehicle Door Equipped with Lamp Unit

ABSTRACT

To provide a lamp unit in which rattling of a light-emitting element is prevented, a lamp unit includes: a holder member attached to an attachment object, a base board provided with a light-emitting element coupled on a main surface thereof; a retaining member that engages the holder member to sandwich the base board between the retaining member and the holder member such that the base board is retained at a prescribed position on the holder member; and a cover member that is at least partially light-transmissive and is attached to the holder member such that the cover member cooperates with the holder member to define a housing chamber for housing the base board and the retaining member.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a lamp unit equipped with alight-emitting element, and a vehicle door equipped with a lamp unit.

BACKGROUND ART

There is known a lamp unit configured to emit light to illuminate a footarea of a vehicle occupant when a vehicle door is opened (for example,Patent Document 1). The lamp unit of Patent Document 1 includes alight-emitting element. The light-emitting element is coupled to abusbar, which is a metal plate provided on a functional part. Thefunctional part is fitted into a decorative part mounted on anassembling portion of the vehicle door.

PRIOR ART DOCUMENT(S) Patent Document(s)

Patent Document 1: JP2012-l66635A

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Task to be Accomplished by the Invention

Because the light-emitting element is coupled to the busbar, there is aproblem that the light-emitting element may rattle relative to a holdermember.

In view of such background, an object of the present invention is toprovide a lamp unit in which rattling of the light-emitting element isprevented, and a vehicle door equipped with such a lamp unit.

Means to Accomplish the Task

To achieve the above object, a lamp unit (4, 94, 194) according to oneembodiment of the present invention comprises: a holder member (9)configured to be attached to an attachment object (3); a base board (6)provided with a light-emitting element (5) coupled on a main surfacethereof; a retaining member (8) that engages the holder member tosandwich the base board between the retaining member and the holdermember such that the base board is retained at a prescribed position onthe holder member; and a cover member (9) that is at least partiallylight-transmissive and is attached to the holder member such that thecover member cooperates with the holder member to define a housingchamber (90) for housing the base board and the retaining member.

According to this embodiment, because the light-emitting element iscoupled on the main surface of the base board and the base board issandwiched by the holder member and the retaining member, rattling ofthe light-emitting element relative to the holder member can beprevented.

Further, according to one embodiment of the present invention,preferably, the holder member has a housing recess for housing the baseboard and the retaining member, and an inner surface of the holdermember is provided with an engagement portion (37) for locking theretaining member.

According to this embodiment, because the retaining member and the baseboard are housed in the housing recess, it is possible to prevent damageto the retaining member and the base board.

Further, according to one embodiment of the present invention,preferably, the retaining member has a plate-like shape and is providedwith a light passing hole (39) that extends therethrough at a positioncorresponding to the light-emitting element.

According to this embodiment, the light path from the light-emittingelement toward the opening of the housing recess is not obstructed.Further, the formation of the light passing hole can reduce the weightof the retaining member.

Further, according to one embodiment of the present invention,preferably, the retaining member includes an outer frame (35) formedalong an edge portion of the base board and multiple beams (36, 38)provided between portions of the outer frame, the outer frame and thebeams defining the light passing hole, and the engagement portionengages the outer frame.

According to this embodiment, the base board can be fixed to the holdermember without obstructing the light path from the light-emittingelement toward the opening of the housing recess.

Further, according to one embodiment of the present invention,preferably, the retaining member is provided with first projections(101) respectively projecting from at least two portions of an outerperipheral surface of the outer frame that face away from each othersuch that each first projection abuts against a wall surface (111)defining the housing recess.

According to this embodiment, rattling of the retaining member relativeto the holder member can be prevented.

Further, according to one embodiment of the present invention,preferably, the retaining member is provided with a pair of secondprojections (102) that project from the outer frame toward the baseboard and abut against corresponding end surfaces of the base board tosandwich the base board therebetween.

According to this embodiment, the base board is coupled to the retainingmember, and thus, rattling of the base board relative to the holdermember can be prevented.

Further, according to one embodiment of the present invention,preferably, a bottom wall of the housing recess is provided with alocking recess (23), and a corresponding part of the retaining member isprovided with a locking protrusion (40) that protrudes into the lockingrecess.

According to this embodiment, when the retaining member moves along thebottom wall of the holder member, the locking protrusion comes intoabutment with a wall defining the locking recess, and therefore, themovement of the retaining member along the bottom wall of the holdermember can be restricted.

Further, according to one embodiment of the present invention,preferably, the base board is formed with a through-hole (11) thatextends therethrough at a position opposing the locking recess, and thelocking protrusion passes through the through-hole and is fitted intothe locking recess.

According to this embodiment, because the locking protrusion is insertedinto the through-hole provided in the base board, the movement of thebase board relative to the retaining member in a direction perpendicularto the protruding direction of the locking protrusion can be restricted.Further, because the holder member is coupled to the retaining member,the movement of the base board relative to the holder member in adirection along the bottom wall of the holder member can be restricted.

Further, according to one embodiment of the present invention,preferably, the holder member is provided with a connector insertionrecess (22) that extends from an outer surface to pass between thebottom wall of the locking recess and an outer surface of the holdermember and reaches the locking recess, and a connection terminal (47)extending from the base board to the connector insertion recess bypassing between the locking protrusion and the locking recess.

According to this embodiment, by inserting the connector into theconnector insertion recess to make the connector connected with theconnection terminal, it is possible to connect the connector with thebase board.

Further, according to one embodiment of the present invention,preferably, the locking recess extends along a prescribed axis to reachan approximate center of the connector insertion recess, the connectorinsertion recess extends substantially perpendicularly to the axis toreach an approximate center of the locking recess, the locking recessand the connector insertion recess are connected to each other, thelocking protrusion has a first protruding end surface (43) and a secondprotruding end surface (44), the first protruding end surface abutsagainst the bottom wall of the locking recess or the connectionterminal, the second protruding end surface cooperates with a wallsurface of the connector insertion recess to define a connectorinsertion hole (80) into which a connector (60) is inserted, and theconnection terminal passes between the first protruding end surface andthe bottom wall of the locking recess to reach the connector insertionhole.

According to this embodiment, because the connection terminal issandwiched by the first protruding end surface and the bottom wall ofthe locking recess, the movement of the connection terminal can beprevented.

Further, according to one embodiment of the present invention,preferably, the bottom wall of the locking recess is formed with agroove (48) for receiving the connection terminal, and the firstprotruding end surface and the bottom wall of the locking recess abutagainst each other.

According to this embodiment, the movement of the connection terminal inthe direction along the bottom wall of the locking recess can beprevented.

Further, according to one embodiment of the present invention,preferably, the second protruding end surface is positioned on a baseend side of the locking protrusion than the first protruding endsurface, and a gap is formed between the second protruding end surfaceand the connection terminal.

According to this embodiment, it is possible to connect the connectionterminal and the connector by inserting the connection terminal into ahole provided in the connector.

Further, according to one embodiment of the present invention,preferably, the second protruding end surface is inclined toward thebase end in a direction toward an opening of the connector insertionrecess.

According to this embodiment, when the connector is inserted, theconnector is guided to an appropriate position by the second protrudingend surface, and therefore, attachment of the connector is facilitated.

Further, according to one embodiment of the present invention,preferably, the outer surface of the holder member is formed with aninclined surface (55) that is continuous with an opening of theconnector insertion recess.

According to this embodiment, when the connector is inserted, theconnector is guided by the connector insertion hole, and therefore,attachment of the connector is facilitated.

Further, according to one embodiment of the present invention,preferably, the lamp unit is a courtesy lamp configured to be mounted toa vehicle door.

According to this embodiment, it is possible to provide a courtesy lampin which rattling of the light-emitting element is prevented.

Further, according to one embodiment of the present invention,preferably, the holder member is integrally formed on a door trim of avehicle door.

According to this embodiment, the structure becomes simple, and the baseboard is more reliably prevented from falling off from the door trim.

Further, according to one embodiment of the present invention,preferably, the holder member is provided with a housing recess (17) forhousing the base board and the retaining member, a wall defining thehousing recess is provided with an engagement portion (37) for lockingthe retaining member, and the base board is provided with a cutout (204)at a position corresponding to the engagement portion.

According to this embodiment, because the light-emitting element isconnected to the main surface of the base board, and the base board issandwiched by the holder member and the retaining member, rattling ofthe light-emitting element relative to the holder member can beprevented. In addition, because the retaining member and the base boardare housed in the housing recess, it is possible to prevent damage tothe retaining member and the base board. Because the cutout is providedat a position corresponding to the engagement portion, the base board isprevented from easily interfering with the engagement portion at thetime of assembly, and the assembly of the base board to the holdermember becomes easy,

Further, according to one embodiment of the present invention,preferably, the housing recess is defined by a bottom wall (18) and asidewall (19) provided along an outer edge of the bottom wall, theengagement portion is provided on the sidewall, and the cutout isprovided in an outer peripheral edge of the base board.

According to this embodiment, because the cutout is provided in theouter peripheral edge of the base board, it is possible to easily movethe base board such that the cutout and the engagement portion are atcorresponding positions, and the assembly of the base board to theholder member becomes even easier.

Further, according to one embodiment of the present invention,preferably, the base board is disposed between the bottom wall and theretaining member, and the engagement portion protrudes from the sidewallto be in contact with a front surface of the retaining member.

According to this embodiment, the assembly of the retaining memberbecomes easy.

Further, according to one embodiment of the present invention,preferably, the base board has a substantially rectangular shape, andthe cutout is provided in an approximately central part of one side ofthe outer peripheral edge of the base board.

According to this embodiment, the load does not tend to be applied tothe base board unevenly and deformation of the base board does not occureasily compared to a case where the cutout is shifted toward either endof one side of the outer peripheral edge of the base board.

Further, according to one embodiment of the present invention,preferably, multiple engagement portions are provided on the sidewall,and the cutouts each have such a width that allows at least two of theengagement portions to pass therethrough.

According to this embodiment, because the number of cutouts provided inthe base board can be reduced, the cutouts can be easily formed in thebase board.

Further, according to one embodiment of the present invention,preferably, the engagement portion is provided on only one side (203) ofthe outer peripheral edge of the base board.

According to this embodiment, the rigidity of the base board is lesslikely to be decreased compared to a case where engagement portions areprovided on multiple sides of the outer peripheral edge.

Further, according to one embodiment of the present invention,preferably, the retaining member includes a substantially rectangularouter frame (35) forming an outer edge, and the cutout is providedbetween the outer frame and the bottom wall.

According to this embodiment, because the base board is positionedbetween the retaining member and the bottom wall even at the cutout, thecutout is prevented from being hit by an object easily. Thereby,deformation of the base board can be more effectively.

Effect of the Invention

According to the foregoing embodiment, because the light-emittingelement is connected to the main surface of the base board and the baseboard is sandwiched by the holder member and the retaining member, it ispossible to provide a lamp unit in which rattling of the light-emittingelement is prevented.

According to the embodiment wherein the holder member has a housingrecess for housing the base board and the retaining member, and an innersurface of the holder member is provided with an engagement portion forlocking the retaining member, it is possible to prevent damage to theretaining member and the base board.

According to the embodiment wherein the retaining member has aplate-like shape and is provided with a light passing hole that extendstherethrough at a position corresponding to the light-emitting element,the light path from the light-emitting element toward the opening of thehousing recess is not obstructed. Further, the formation of the lightpassing hole can reduce the weight of the retaining member.

According to the embodiment wherein the retaining member includes anouter frame and beams, the base board can be fixed to the holder memberwithout obstructing the light path from the light-emitting elementtoward the opening of the housing recess.

According to the embodiment wherein the retaining member is providedwith first projections respectively projecting from at least twoportions of an outer peripheral surface of the outer frame that faceaway from each other such that each first projection abuts against awall surface defining the housing recess, rattling of the retainingmember relative to the holder member can be prevented.

According to the embodiment wherein the retaining member is providedwith a pair of second projections that project from the outer frametoward the base board and abut against corresponding end surfaces of thebase board to sandwich the base board therebetween, the base board iscoupled to the retaining member, and thus, rattling of the base boardrelative to the holder member can be prevented.

According to the embodiment wherein the locking protrusion is fittedinto the locking recess, the movement of the retaining member along thebottom wall of the holder member can be restricted.

According to the embodiment wherein the locking protrusion passesthrough the through-hole and is fitted into the locking recess, themovement of the retaining member and the base board along the bottomwall of the holder member can be restricted.

According to the embodiment wherein a connector insertion recess isprovided, it is possible, by inserting the connector into the connectorinsertion recess, to connect the connector with the base board via theconnection terminal.

According to the embodiment wherein the bottom wall of the lockingrecess is formed with a groove for receiving the connection terminal,the first protruding end surface and the bottom wall of the lockingrecess abut against each other, and the second protruding end surfaceand the connector insertion recess define a connector insertion hole,the connection terminal is sandwiched by the first protruding endsurface and the bottom wall of the locking recess, whereby the movementof the connection terminal can be prevented and the connector insertionhole can be formed more easily.

According to the embodiment wherein the bottom wall of the lockingrecess is formed with a groove for receiving the connection terminal,and the first protruding end surface and the bottom wall of the lockingrecess abut against each other, the movement of the connection terminalin the direction along the bottom wall of the locking recess can beprevented.

According to the embodiment wherein the second protruding end surface ispositioned on a base end side of the locking protrusion than the firstprotruding end surface, and a gap is formed between the secondprotruding end surface and the connection terminal, it is possible toconnect the connection terminal and the connector by inserting theconnection terminal into a hole provided in the connector.

According to the embodiment wherein the second protruding end surface isinclined, when the connector is inserted, the connector is guided to anappropriate position by the second protruding end surface, andtherefore, attachment of the connector is facilitated.

According to the embodiment wherein the outer surface of the holdermember is formed with an inclined surface that is continuous with anopening of the connector insertion recess, when the connector isinserted, the connector is guided by the connector insertion hole, andtherefore, attachment of the connector is facilitated.

According to the embodiment wherein the lamp unit is a courtesy lampconfigured to be mounted to a vehicle door, it is possible to provide acourtesy lamp in which rattling of the light-emitting element isprevented.

According to the embodiment wherein the holder member is integrallyformed on a door trim of a vehicle door, the structure becomes simpleand the base board is more reliably prevented from falling off from thedoor trim.

Further, the holder member is provided with a housing recess for housingthe base board and the retaining member, a wall defining the housingrecess is provided with an engagement portion for locking the retainingmember, and the base board is provided with a cutout at a positioncorresponding to the engagement portion. Thus, because thelight-emitting element is connected to the main surface of the baseboard, and the base board is sandwiched by the holder member and theretaining member, rattling of the light-emitting element relative to theholder member can be prevented. In addition, because the retainingmember and the base board are housed in the housing recess, it ispossible to prevent damage to the retaining member and the base board.Because the cutout is provided at a position corresponding to theengagement portion, the base board is prevented from easily interferingwith the engagement portion at the time of assembly, and the assembly ofthe base board to the holder member becomes easy.

According to the embodiment wherein the housing recess is defined by abottom wall and sidewall provided along an outer edge of the bottomwall, the engagement portion is provided on the sidewall, and the cutoutis provided in an outer peripheral edge of the base board, because thecutout is provided in the outer peripheral edge of the base board, it ispossible to easily move the base board such that the cutout and theengagement portion are at corresponding positions, and the assembly ofthe base board to the holder member becomes even easier.

According to the embodiment wherein the base board is disposed betweenthe bottom wall and the retaining member, and the engagement portionprotrudes from the sidewall to be in contact with a front surface of theretaining member, the assembly of the retaining member becomes easy.

According to the embodiment wherein the base board has a substantiallyrectangular shape, and the cutout is provided in an approximatelycentral part of one side of the outer peripheral edge of the base board,the load does not tend to be applied to the base board unevenly anddeformation of the base board does not occur easily compared to a casewhere the cutout is shifted toward either end of one side of the outerperipheral edge of the base board.

According to the embodiment wherein multiple engagement portions areprovided on the sidewall, and the cutouts each have such a width thatallow at least two of the engagement portions to pass therethrough,because the number of cutouts provided in the base board can be reduced,the cutouts can be easily formed in the base board.

According to the embodiment wherein the engagement portion is providedon only one side of the outer peripheral edge of the base board, therigidity of the base board is unlikely to be decreased compared to acase where engagement members are provided on multiple sides of theouter peripheral edge.

According to the embodiment wherein the retaining member includes asubstantially rectangular outer frame forming an outer edge, and thecutout is provided between the outer frame and the bottom wall, becausethe base board is positioned between the retaining member and the bottomwall even at the cutout, the cutout is prevented from being hit by anobject easily. Thereby, deformation of the base board can be preventedmore effectively.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a side view of a vehicle door to which a lamp unit accordingto an embodiment is attached;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the lamp unit as viewed from the rightrear side;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the lamp unit as viewed from the upperleft side;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a connector to be connected to the lampunit;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a cover member;

FIG. 6 is a side view of the lamp unit with the cover member removed;

FIG. 7 is a side view of the lamp unit with the cover member and aretaining member removed;

FIG. 8 is a side view of a holder member;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the retaining member;

FIG. 10 is a sectional view taken along line X-X in FIG. 6;

FIG. 11 is a sectional view taken along line XI-XI in FIG. 6;

FIG. 12 is a side view of the lamp unit according to the secondembodiment with the cover member removed;

FIG. 13 is a side view of the lamp unit according to the secondembodiment with the cover member and the retaining member removed;

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of the retaining member regarding thesecond embodiment as viewed from the front side;

FIG. 15 is a perspective view of the retaining member regarding thesecond embodiment as viewed from the back side;

FIG. 16 is a perspective view of the lamp unit according to the secondembodiment;

FIG. 17 is a sectional view of the lamp unit according to the secondembodiment;

FIG. 18 is a perspective view of a door trim regarding the secondembodiment;

FIG. 19 is a perspective view of the door trim to which the lamp unitaccording to the second embodiment is attached;

FIG. 20 is a side view of the lamp unit according to the thirdembodiment with the cover member removed;

FIG. 21 is a side view of the lamp unit according to the thirdembodiment with the cover member and the retaining member removed;

FIG. 22 is a side view of the holder member of the lamp unit accordingto the third embodiment; and

FIG. 23 is a sectional view of the lamp unit according to the thirdembodiment in a direction along XY plane.

MODES FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

In the following, an example in which a lamp unit of the presentinvention is applied to a courtesy lamp mounted to a vehicle door for adriver's seat will be described with reference to the drawings.

First Embodiment

As shown in FIG. 1, a vehicle door 1 for a driver's seat includes a doorpanel 2 serving as a skeleton, and a door trim 3 attached to an innerside of the door panel 2 as an upholstery member. A courtesy lamp 4 isattached to a lower end of the door trim 3.

As shown in FIGS. 2, 3, and 6, the courtesy lamp 4 includes a base board6 on which light-emitting elements 5 are provided, a holder member 7supporting the base board 6, a retaining member 8 fixing the base board6 to the holder member 7, and a cover member 9 covering the base board 6and the retaining member 8.

The base board 6 is a printed circuit board on which the light-emittingelements 5 are provided. As shown in FIG. 7, the base board 6 has asubstantially rectangular shape in plan view. The light-emittingelements 5 are soldered onto a front surface of the base board 6. Thelight-emitting elements 5 may be, for example, surface mount type LEDelements, organic EL elements, light bulbs, etc., and preferably emitwhite light. The base board 6 is provided with multiple light-emittingelements 5 thereon. The light-emitting elements 5 are arranged in a gridpattern on the base board 6. In the present embodiment, thelight-emitting elements 5 are arranged in a grid pattern having two rowsin a short-side direction and four columns in a long-side direction. Inaddition to the light-emitting elements 5, the base board 6 is providedwith resistors, diodes, etc. (not shown) that are necessary forcontrolling electric power supply to the light-emitting elements 5.

As shown in FIG. 7, the base board 6 is formed with a through-hole 11 atan approximate center thereof such that the through-hole 11 extendstherethrough from the front surface to the back surface. Thethrough-hole 11 is formed to have a substantially rectangular shape andextends along the long-side direction of the base board 6. The baseboard 6 is further formed with four connection holes 12 that extendtherethrough from the front surface to the back surface. The frontsurface of the base board 6 is provided with lands 13 for soldering atparts thereof surrounding the openings of the respective connectionholes 12, respectively. The connection holes 12 are formed adjacent tothe through-hole 11 in the long-side direction of the base board 6. Inthe present embodiment, the connection holes 12 each open out in thefront and rear surfaces of the base board 6 to have a circular opening.

The holder member 7 is a member made of resin. As shown in FIGS. 2 and11, the holder member 7 includes a housing part 15 and a connector part16 protruding from the housing part 15 in an X-direction, which is aprescribed direction. The housing part 15 is formed with a housingrecess 17 that is recessed in the X-direction on a side thereof oppositeto the side coupled with the connector part 16. The housing recess 17 isdefined by a housing recess bottom wall 18 perpendicular to theX-direction and a housing recess sidewall 19 provided along acircumference of the housing recess bottom wall 18.

As shown in FIG. 8, the housing recess bottom wall 18 has asubstantially rectangular shape. In the following description, thedirection along the long sides of the housing recess bottom wall 18 willbe referred to as a Y-direction, and the direction along the short sidesof the same will be referred to as a Z-direction. The housing recesssidewall 19 includes a pair of housing recess lateral walls 20respectively connected to the short sides of the housing recess bottomwall 18 and facing each other.

As shown in FIG. 11, the connector part 16 is formed with an insertionrecess 22 that is recessed in the Y-direction. The housing recess bottomwall 18 is formed with a locking recess 23 that is recessed in theX-direction. As viewed in the Z-direction, the locking recess 23 and theinsertion recess 22 partly overlap each other in the X-direction and theY-direction. An opening 24 is formed at the overlapping part of thelocking recess 23 and the insertion recess 22. The locking recess 23 andthe insertion recess 22 are connected to each other via the opening 24.A locking recess bottom wall 25, which is a bottom wall of the lockingrecess 23, is positioned at an approximate center of the insertionrecess 22 in the X-direction. An insertion recess bottom wall 26, whichis a bottom wall of the insertion recess 22, is positioned at anapproximate center of the locking recess 23 in the Y-direction. Thelocking recess bottom wall 25 and the insertion recess bottom wall 26are connected to each other.

The sidewalls defining the insertion recess 22 include a first insertionrecess lateral wall 27 and a second insertion recess lateral wall 28that face each other and a pair of insertion recess longitudinal walls29 that face each other. The first insertion recess lateral wall 27 andthe second insertion recess lateral wall 28 face in the X-direction. Thefirst insertion recess lateral wall 27 is positioned on the side of thelocking recess 23 relative to the second insertion recess lateral wall28. As shown in FIG. 10, the insertion recess longitudinal walls 29 eachface in the Z-direction.

As shown in FIG. 11, the sidewalk defining the locking recess 23 includea locking recess longitudinal wall 30 extending perpendicularly in theY-direction and facing toward the opening of the insertion recess 22.

As shown in FIG. 7, the base board 6 is housed in the housing recess 17such that the main surface thereof faces in the X-direction. The backsurface of the base board 6 is in contact with the housing recess bottomwall 18. As shown in FIG. 6, the retaining member 8 is disposed on thefront side of the base board 6. The retaining member 8 is a member madeof resin and having flexibility. As shown in FIG. 9, the retainingmember 8 includes an outer frame 35 having a substantially rectangularshape and multiple vertical beams 36 provided between portions of theouter frame 35. The outer frame 35 is formed to have a substantiallysame shape as the edge portion of the base board 6.

The retaining member 8 is disposed such that the portions (long sides)of the outer frame 35 extending in the long-side direction extend alongthe long sides of the base board 6 and the portions (short sides) of theouter frame 35 extending in a direction perpendicular to the long-sidedirection extend along the short sides of the base board 6. The verticalbeams 36 extend in the direction perpendicular to the long-sidedirection of the outer frame 35. Each of the vertical beams 36 connectsthe portions of the outer frame 35 extending in the long-side direction.In the present embodiment, the retaining member 8 is provided with threevertical beams 36. The retaining member 8 is in contact with the baseboard 6 at surfaces (back surfaces) of the outer frame 35 and thevertical beams 36 facing the base board 6.

As shown in FIG. 6, each of the housing recess lateral walls 20 isprovided with locking projections 37 that protrude toward the interiorof the housing recess 17. Each housing recess lateral wall 20 isprovided with a pair of locking projections 37. The pair of lockingprojections 37 are formed on each housing recess lateral wall 20 to bedisposed side by side and substantially in parallel with the housingrecess bottom wall 18. The locking projections 37 abut on the frontsurfaces of the short sides of the outer frame 35 and restrict themovement of the retaining member 8 toward the opening of the housingrecess 17. Thereby, the base board 6 is sandwiched by the housing recessbottom wall 18 and the retaining member 8. The distance between thelocking projections 37 facing each other in the Y-direction is shorterthan the long side of the outer frame 35 and longer than the long sideof the base board 6.

The retaining member 8 is provided with a horizontal beam 38 thatconnects approximate centers of the multiple vertical beams 36. In thepresent embodiment, the horizontal beam 38 connects all of the threevertical beams 36. The vertical beams 36 and the horizontal beam 38extend between the light-emitting elements 5 arranged in a grid pattern.The retaining member 8 is formed with light passing holes 39 that extendtherethrough in the X-direction, where the light passing holes 39 aredefined at positions corresponding to the light-emitting elements 5 bycooperation of the outer frame 35, the vertical beams 36, and thehorizontal beam 38. As shown in FIG. 11, the horizontal beam 38 isprovided with a locking protrusion 40 that protrudes from the backsurface in the X-direction.

The locking protrusion 40 extends through the through-hole 11 andprotrudes into the locking recess 23 to be fitted into the same. Becausethe locking protrusion 40 extends through the through-hole 11, themovement of the base board 6 relative to the retaining member 8 in thedirection perpendicular to the protruding direction of the lockingprotrusion 40 is restricted. Because the locking protrusion 40 is fittedinto the locking recess 23, the movement of the retaining memberrelative to the holder member 7 in the direction along the housingrecess bottom wall 18 (X-direction and Y-direction) is restricted.

The locking protrusion 40 is constituted of a locking protrusion endwall 41 facing in the X-direction and a locking protrusion sidewall 42coupled to the periphery of the locking protrusion end wall 41. Thelocking protrusion end wall 41 includes a first protruding end surface43 and a second protruding end surface 44 formed to be displaced fromeach other and facing substantially in the X-direction, and a connectingsurface 45 connecting the first protruding end surface 43 and the secondprotruding end surface 44 to each other. The first protruding endsurface 43 is positioned on the base end side of the locking protrusion40 than the second protruding end surface 44. The first protruding endsurface 43 forms a surface facing the locking recess bottom wall 25, andthe second protruding end surface 44 is provided at a position thatfaces the second insertion recess lateral wall 28 via the opening 24.The connecting surface 45 faces in the Y-direction toward the opening ofthe insertion recess 22, and is continuous with the wall surface of theinsertion recess bottom wall 26. The locking protrusion 40 is in contactwith the locking recess bottom wall 25 at the first protruding endsurface 43. The locking protrusion sidewall 42 includes a lockingprotrusion longitudinal wall 46 that faces the locking recesslongitudinal wall 30.

Multiple metallic connection terminals 47 each formed in a leafspring-like shape are attached to the base board 6. As shown in FIGS. 6and 7, in the present embodiment, two connection terminals 47 areattached to the base board 6. The connection terminals 47 are coupled tothe base board 6 at base end portions thereof.

As shown in FIGS. 7 and 11, each connection terminal 47 includes, fromthe base end side thereof, a base end portion 47A, an intermediateportion 47B, and a protruding end portion 47C. A part of the base endportion 47A on the base end side is bifurcated into two branches, eachbeing inserted into the corresponding connection hole 12 and solderedonto the corresponding land 13. The base end portion 47A extends fromthe connection holes 12 toward the through-hole 11. A part of the baseend portion 47A on the protruding end side is bent in the X-directionand extends into the through-hole 11 to be connected with theintermediate portion 47B. The intermediate portion 47B extends along thethrough-hole 11 to the back side of the base board 6, and then passesbetween the locking protrusion longitudinal wall 46 and the lockingrecess longitudinal wall 30 to reach the locking recess bottom wall 25.The intermediate portion 47B is bent at the locking recess bottom wall25 and is connected to the protruding end portion 47C. The protrudingend portion 47C extends in the Y-direction along the locking recessbottom wall 25 (see FIG. 10). The locking recess bottom wall 25 isformed with multiple grooves 48 extending in the direction from thelocking recess longitudinal wall 30 toward the opening of the insertionrecess 22 (Y-direction). In the present embodiment, the locking recessbottom wall 25 is formed with two grooves 48. The part of the protrudingend portion 47C adjacent to the intermediate portion 47B is received inthe corresponding groove 48, and as shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, the partof the protruding end portion 47C adjacent to the intermediate portion47B is sandwiched between the locking recess bottom wall 25 and thefirst protruding end surface 43.

As shown in FIG. 8, a substantially middle part of each groove 48 in theY-direction is formed with a narrow section 49 having a width narrowedin the Z-direction. The width of the part of the protruding end portion47C corresponding to the narrow section 49 is narrowed in theZ-direction. When the connection terminal 47 is moved along theY-direction, the protruding end portion 47C abuts against the wallsurface defining the narrow section 49. Thus, the narrow section 49restricts the movement of the connection terminal 47 in the Y-direction.

The protruding end portion 47C extends in the groove 48 in theY-direction, and protrudes toward the opening of the insertion recess22. The protruding end portion 47C protrudes substantiallyperpendicularly relative to the insertion recess bottom wall 26 andreaches between the second protruding end surface 44 and the secondinsertion recess lateral wall 28. The second protruding end surface 44is positioned on the base end side than the first protruding end surface43, and therefore, the second protruding end surface 44 is spaced fromthe locking recess bottom wall 25 in the X-direction. As a result, a gapis created between the second protruding end surface 44 and theconnection terminal 47, and the protruding end of the protruding endportion 47C protrudes from between the connecting surface 45 and thewall surface of the insertion recess bottom wall 26 which are continuouswith each other. The second protruding end surface 44 is inclined suchthat the distance to the second insertion recess lateral wall 28increases toward the opening of the insertion recess 22.

The second insertion recess lateral wall 28 is formed with a pair ofridges 51 each extending in the Y-direction and a locking hole 53 passedtherethrough in the X-direction.

A part of the outer surface of the housing part 15 that is continuouswith the opening of the connector insertion recess 22 is formed with aninclined surface 55 that is connected to the opening. The inclinedsurface 55 is inclined in such a direction that the inclined surface 55approaches the axis of the connector insertion recess 22 as itapproaches from the connector insertion recess 22 along the Y-direction.

As shown in FIG. 4, a connector 60 has an insertion end formed with apair of terminal receiving holes 61 in which the connection terminals 47are inserted, and a cable 62 extending outward from a rear surface ofthe connector 60 with respect to the insertion direction. The cable 62extends along the door panel 2 to the vehicle body and is connected to acontrol unit (not shown in the drawings) mounted on the vehicle body. Aside surface of the connector 60 is formed with a pair of guide grooves63 each extending in the extension direction. The connector 60 isprovided with locking walls 65 protruding from the respective sidesurfaces. One locking wall 65 is provided with a locking claw 67 forengaging the locking hole 53.

A connector insertion hole 80 is defined by the second protruding endsurface 44, the connecting surface 45, and the insertion recess 22. Whenthe connector 60 is inserted into the connector insertion hole 80, thefront end of the connector 60 contacts the inclined surface 55 and movesalong the inclined surface 55 to be guided into the insertion recess 22.As the connector 60 is inserted further, the front end of the connector60 contacts the second protruding end surface 44, and moves along thesecond protruding end surface 44. Thereby, the connector 60 is guided toa proper position where the connection terminals 47 are inserted in theterminal receiving holes 61. The ridges 51 engage the guide grooves 63,and the connector 60 is guided to the proper position. By making thelocking claw 67 engage the locking hole 53, the connector 60 is coupledto the courtesy lamp 4. At this time, as shown in FIG. 10, the connector60 is sandwiched by the second protruding end surface 44 and the secondinsertion recess lateral wall 28. Also, the connector 60 is connected tothe base board 6 via the connection terminals 47.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the outer surface of the housing part 15 isprovided with multiple locking claws 70 along an opening edge of thehousing recess 17. As shown in FIG. 4, the cover member 9 is aplate-like member made of a light-transmissive resin. The cover member 9is formed with engagement holes 71 in an edge portion thereof. The covermember 9 is coupled to the opening of the housing recess 17 with thelocking claws 70 engaging the engagement holes 71. As shown in FIG. 2,the opening of the housing recess 17 is closed by the cover member 9.The housing recess 17 and the cover member 9 define a housing chamber 90for housing the base board 6 and the retaining member 8.

As shown in FIGS. 6, 7, and 8, the opening edge of the housing recess 17is formed with multiple projections 73 protruding in the openingdirection. As shown in FIG. 3, the cover member 9 abuts on theprojections 73 such that a gap is formed between the cover member 9 andthe opening edge of the housing recess 17. The heat generated from thelight-emitting elements 5 can be released to the outside of the housingrecess 17 through the gap.

The cover member 9 is made of a transparent resin and, as shown in FIGS.2 and 5, includes a cover sidewall 74 and a cover lower wall 75connected to the cover sidewall 74 substantially perpendicularly. Thecover sidewall 74 and the cover lower wall 75 each have a substantiallyrectangular shape. As shown in FIG. 1, when the courtesy lamp 4 isattached to the door trim 3, the cover sidewall 74 is disposed to becontinuous with the side surface of the door trim 3. The cover lowerwall 75 is disposed to be continuous with the lower surface of the doortrim 3. A colored member 76 which is red and transparent is attached tothe cover sidewall 74.

The courtesy lamp 4 is fixed to the door trim 3, which serves as anattachment object, by using predetermined members such as screws. Theconnector 60 is connected to the courtesy lamp 4. The door trim 3 isfixed to the door panel 2 by using predetermined bolts. When the vehicledoor 1 is closed, the X-direction is directed obliquely upward andoutward of the vehicle, while the Y-direction is directed in the foreand aft direction of the vehicle body.

When the vehicle door 1 is open, the light-emitting elements 5 emitlight. When the light-emitting elements 5 emit light, the courtesy lamp4 lights up in red at the cover sidewall 74 to warn the vehicles comingfrom behind that the vehicle door 1 is open. When the light-emittingelements 5 emit light, the courtesy lamp 4 lights up in white at thecover lower wall 75 to illuminate the foot area of the vehicle occupantgetting in or out of the vehicle.

Next, effects of the courtesy lamp 4 with the above-described structurewill be described. The light-emitting elements 5 are connected to thebase board 6, and the base board 6 is sandwiched between the retainingmember 8 and the housing recess bottom wall 18. Therefore, rattling ofthe light-emitting elements 5 is prevented.

Further, the retaining member 8 and the base board 6 are covered by thecover member 9. In addition, the retaining member 8 and the base board 6are housed in the housing recess 17. The cover member 9 closes theopening of the housing recess 17. Owing to these features, even when aload is applied to the courtesy lamp 4, the load does not directly acton the retaining member 8 and the base board 6, and damage to theretaining member 8 and the base board 6 can be prevented.

Because the base board 6 is sandwiched between the retaining member 8and the holder member 7, the attachment thereof does not need screws orthe like, and thus the attachment is easy. Further, because the baseboard 6 is disposed along the housing recess bottom wall 18, a load thatwould break the base board 6 is not likely to be applied, and damage toand movement of the base board 6 can be prevented.

Owing to the light passing holes 39, the light from the light-emittingelements 5 reaches the opening of the housing recess 17 without beingobstructed by the retaining member 8. Further, because the retainingmember 8 is formed with the light passing holes 39, the retaining member8 has a lighter weight than when formed in a plate-like shape. Inaddition, because the horizontal beam 38 connects the vertical beams 36and is not coupled to the outer frame 35, the outer frame 35 is easy tobend in the Y-direction, and the assembly of the retaining member 8 iseasy. Because the long side of the base board 6 is shorter than thedistance between the locking projections 37 facing each other in theY-direction, the base board 6 can be passed between the lockingprojections 37 facing each other in the Y-direction, and thus, theassembly of the base board 6 is easy.

Because the connection terminals 47 are sandwiched between the lockingrecess bottom wall 25 and the first protruding end surface 43, themovement of the connection terminals 47 relative to the holder member 7can be prevented. There is no need to fix the connection terminals 47 tothe holder member 7 by using adhesive or the like, and thus, theassembly is easy.

The protruding end portion 47C protrude from the connecting surface 45and the insertion recess bottom wall 26. As a result, the connectionterminals 47 protrude from an approximate center of the bottom wall ofthe connector insertion hole 80. Therefore, the connection terminals 47can be fitted into the terminal receiving holes 61 of the connector 60.

Second Embodiment

A courtesy lamp 94 of the second embodiment differs from the courtesylamp 4 of the First embodiment with regard to the shape of the retainingmember 8 and the holder member 7. The other features are the same asthose of the courtesy lamp 4 of the first embodiment, and therefore,description thereof will be omitted.

As shown in FIGS. 12, 14, and 15, the outer frame 35 of the retainingmember 8 is provided with protruding portions 100 that protrudeoutwardly on portions of the outer surface thereof extending in thelong-side direction. The protruding ends of the protruding portions 100are formed with substantially rectangular surfaces that face outward andaway from each other. Each of the protruding end surfaces of theprotruding portions 100 is formed with multiple first projections 101that project outward. The first projections 101 formed on one of theprotruding portions 100 are provided at positions that align with thefirst projections 101 formed on the other of the protruding portions 100in the short side direction (Y-direction) to form pairs. In the presentembodiment, the retaining member 8 is provided with two pairs of firstprojections 101.

As shown in FIG. 15, the protruding portions 100 each extend in the backside direction to define an inward-facing surface. On each inward-facingsurface are formed rib-like second projections 102 that project inwardand extend in the back side direction or toward the base board 6. Asshown in FIG. 12, the second projections 102 formed on one of theprotruding portions 100 are provided at positions that align with thesecond projections 102 formed on the other of the protruding portions100 in the short side direction (Y-direction) to form pairs. In thepresent embodiment, the retaining member 8 is provided with three pairsof second projections 102. As shown in FIG. 15, a part of the backsurface of the retaining member 8 around each second projection 102 isrecessed in a substantially semi-circular shape.

As shown in FIG. 12, each of the inner surfaces of portions of thehousing recess sidewall 19 of the holder member 7 facing in theZ-direction (hereinafter, housing recess longitudinal walls 107) isprovided with a receiving recess 110 that is recessed outward. As shownin FIG. 13, the receiving recesses 110 are defined by pressed surfaces111 that face inward of the housing recess 17 and toward each other,left and right side surfaces 112 facing in the Y-direction, and lockingsurfaces 113 (FIG. 13) facing in the X-direction (opening direction ofthe housing recess 17).

As shown in FIG. 16, the distance between the two pressed surfaces 111is substantially the same as or slightly smaller than the distancebetween the protruding ends of the first projections 101 forming a pair.The first projections 101 are received in the receiving recesses 110 andundergo resilient deformation to press the pressed surfaces 111.Thereby, rattling of the retaining member 8 relative to the holdermember 7 is prevented.

It is also possible to omit the first projections 101 and insert elasticmembers (rubber), pieces of non-woven fabric, or the like between theouter surface of each protruding portion 100 and the correspondingpressed surface 111, to prevent rattling of the retaining member 8relative to the holder member 7.

Each locking surface 113 is formed at a different level in theX-direction from the housing recess bottom wall 18 and is positioned onthe side of the opening of the housing recess 17 (upper side in thedrawing) than the housing recess bottom wall 18. The protruding portions100 abut against the respective locking surfaces 113 at end surfacesthereof on the back side (lower side in the drawing).

As shown in FIG. 13, the housing recess bottom wall 18 is formed withmultiple ribs 115 that protrude toward the opening. The ribs 115 includehorizontal ribs (two in this embodiment) extending in the Y-directionand vertical ribs (three in this embodiment) extending in theZ-direction, and are formed such that the protruding end surfaces of theall ribs 115 align with each other in the X-direction. As shown in FIG.16, the protruding end surfaces of the ribs 115 are positioned on theside of the housing recess bottom wall 18 (lower side in the drawing)than the locking surfaces 113 in the X-direction.

The back surface of the base board 6 abuts against the protruding endsof the ribs 115, and the front surface thereof is positioned on the sideof the opening of the housing recess 17 than the locking surfaces 113.Further, the second projections 102 abut against the end surfaces of thebase board 6 in the Z-direction. The distance between the mutuallyfacing surfaces of the second projections 102 forming a pair issubstantially the same as or slightly smaller than the width of the baseboard 6 in the Z-direction. As a result, the second projections 102 eachundergo elastic deformation to press the end surfaces of the base board6, with the base board 6 being sandwiched between the second projections102 forming a pair. Thereby, the base board 6 is coupled to theretaining member 8, and rattling of the base board 6 relative to theholder member 7 is prevented. As shown in FIG. 12, the LED elements,resistors, etc. are preferably arranged to avoid between the mutuallyfacing second projections 102 to prevent the load applied by the secondprojections 102 from acting on the LED elements, resistors, or the likemounted on the base board 6.

As shown in FIG. 12, each of the housing recess lateral walls 20 isprovided with the locking projections 37. Each locking projection 37 hasa claw-like shape and protrudes inward of the housing recess 17 or inthe Y-direction (inserting direction of the connector 60) to abutagainst the front surface of the retaining member S. Thereby, themovement of the base board 6 and the retaining member 8 in the openingdirection of the housing recess 17 is restricted. Further, the lockingprojections 37 are positioned substantially at a center between the twohousing recess longitudinal walls 107 in the Z-direction. Therefore, theouter frame 35 can be bent easily at a position corresponding to thelocking projections 37, and the assembly of the retaining member 8becomes easy.

Similarly to the first embodiment, the cover member 9 is attached to theholder member 7. As shown in FIG. 16, in this embodiment, the coversidewall 74 is in contact with the opening edge of the housing recess17. Thereby, leakage of light through the interface between the coversidewall 74 and the opening edge of the housing recess 17 is preventedin addition, as shown in FIG. 17, the opening edge of the housing recess17 is provided with the projections 73 similarly to those in the firstembodiment are provided at positions corresponding to the cover lowerwall 75. The cover lower wall 75 contacts the projections 73, and a gap116 is formed between the cover lower wall 75 and the opening edge ofthe housing recess 17. The gap 116 can absorb deformation of the holdermember 7 and the cover member 9, and therefore, it becomes easy tocouple the holder member 7 and the cover member 9 to each other. Theresin forming the cover member 9 preferably contains diffusing materialfor scattering light.

As shown in FIG. 12, an opening-side edge portion of one of the housingrecess longitudinal walls 107 (upper side in FIG. 12) to be coupled withthe cover sidewall 74 is provided with two extensions 120 arranged sideby side. The extensions 120 each protrude outward of the opening of thehousing recess 17 from the edge portion. An opening-side edge portion ofanother of the housing recess longitudinal walls 107 to be coupled withthe cover lower wall 75 is provided with a flange portion 121. Theflange portion 121 has a plate-like shape and extends outward of theopening of the housing recess 17. The flange portion 121 has a mainsurface facing in the opening direction of the housing recess 17, andthe main surface is formed with multiple (two in this embodiment) flangerecesses 123 each of which is recessed in the bottom direction of thehousing recess 17. The outer surface of each housing recess lateral wall20 is provided with a tongue 124 that protrudes outward.

As shown in FIG. 1, the lower edge of the door trim 3 is bent toward theoutside of the vehicle. As shown in FIG. 18, the bent part is formedwith a door trim opening 130 passed therethrough in a shapecorresponding to the cover member 9. The door trim opening 130 isconstituted of an upper part 130U provided in a wall surface of the doortrim 3 facing in the vehicle width direction, and a lower part 130Dprovided in a wall surface extending toward the outside of the vehicle.An edge portion defining the upper part 130U is provided with an upperedge wall 131 extending in the back side direction. The upper edge wall131 is formed with two upper edge wall recesses 132 that are recessed inthe front side direction. The upper edge wall 131 is further providedwith a pair of retaining plates 133 that extend in the back sidedirection in a plate-like shape and are spaced in the fore and aftdirection. The extension end of each retaining plate 133 is providedwith a claw 134 that protrudes inward of the door trim opening 130. Anedge portion defining the lower part 130D is provided with a lower edgewall 135. The lower edge wall 135 is provided with multiple (two in thisembodiment) edge wall projections 136 that project upward.

As shown in FIG. 19, the courtesy lamp 94 is attached to the door trim3. When attached, the extensions 120 are inserted in the door trimopening 130 from the front side, such that the extensions 120respectively engage the upper edge wall recesses 132. Thereafter, thecourtesy lamp 94 is rotated with the extensions 120 as an axis to pushin the flange portion 121 to the back side. When the flange portion 121is pushed in, the edge wall projections 136 elastically deform and passthe walls defining the flange recesses 123 to be fitted in the flangerecesses 123. Thereby, the courtesy lamp 94 is assembled to the doortrim 3. As described above, by rotating the courtesy lamp 94 with theextensions 120 as an axis, the courtesy lamp 94 can be easily placed ina proper position and assembled to the door trim 3.

When the courtesy lamp 94 has been assembled to the door trim 3, theretaining plates 133 respectively contact side surfaces of the courtesylamp 94, and the claws 134 contact the tongues 124 from the back side.Thereby, the movement of the courtesy lamp 94 in directions along thedoor trim 3 and toward the back side of the door trim 3 is restricted.Further, because the edge wall projections 136 are fitted in the flangerecesses 123, the movement of the lower part of the courtesy lamp 94 indirections toward the front side and back side of the door trim 3 aswell as along the door trim 3 is restricted. In addition, because theextensions 120 are in contact with the back surface of the door trim 3,the movement of the upper part of the courtesy lamp 94 toward the frontside of the door trim 3 is restricted. Thereby, the courtesy lamp 94 isfixed to the door trim 3.

Third Embodiment

A courtesy lamp 194 of the third embodiment differs from the courtesylamp 194 of the first embodiment with regard to the shape of the baseboard 6, and the structures of the holder member 7 and the retainingmember 8 are the same as those in the first embodiment. In thefollowing, description will be made mainly of the shape of the baseboard 6 and the relationship between the base board 6 and the holdermember 7 as well as between the base board 6 and the retaining member 8,and description of the other parts will be omitted. The structures ofthe holder member 7 and the retaining member 8 may be described withreference to the drawings for the first embodiment, as necessary.

The base board 6 is a primed circuit board having a flat plate-likeshape and provided with electronic parts including the light-emittingelements 5, resistors, diodes, etc. (not shown) soldered onto a surfacethereof. As shown in FIGS. 20 and 21, the base board 6 includes aplate-like base 202 having a substantially rectangular shape in planview, and a single cutout 204 is formed at an approximately central partof one of the short sides of the base (hereinafter, a first short side203) such that the cutout 204 extends inward of the base 202. The cutout204 is formed on only the first short side 203 and is not formed on theother short side of the base 202 (hereinafter, a second short side 209).The cutout 204 is defined by a first edge wall 205 and a second edgewall 206, which extend substantially in parallel with the long side ofthe base 202, and a third edge wall 207 formed to be substantially inparallel with the short sides of the base 202. The light-emittingelements 5 are surface mount type LED elements that emit white light,but are not limited to this, and may be organic EL elements, lightbulbs, etc. In the present embodiment, the light-emitting elements 5 arearranged in a grid pattern having two rows in the short-side directionand four columns in the long-side direction.

The base board 6 is formed with the rectangular through-hole 11 passedtherethrough at an approximate center thereof and extending in thelong-side direction of the base board 6 to have a substantiallyrectangular shape. The base board 6 is further formed with the fourconnection holes 12, which are substantially circular through-holes,adjacent to the rectangular through-hole 11 in the long-side directionof the base board 6. The lands 13 for soldering are provided on parts ofthe front surface of the base board 6 surrounding the openings of theconnection holes 12.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 23, the holder member 7 is a member made ofresin and includes the housing part 15 and the connector part 16protruding from the housing part 15 in the X-direction, which is aprescribed direction. The housing part 15 is formed with the housingrecess 17 that is recessed in the X-direction on the side thereofopposite to the side coupled with the connector part 16. The housingrecess 17 is defined by the housing recess bottom wall 18 perpendicularto the X-direction and the housing recess sidewall 19 provided along acircumference of the housing recess bottom wall 18.

As shown in FIG. 22, the housing recess bottom wall 18 has asubstantially rectangular shape. In the following description, thedirection along the long sides of the housing recess bottom wall 18 willbe referred to as the Y-direction, and the direction along the shortsides of the same will be referred to as the Z-direction. The housingrecess sidewall 19 of the holder member 7 includes the housing recesslateral walls 20 respectively connected to the short sides of thehousing recess bottom wall 18, and the housing recess longitudinal walls107 respectively connected to the long sides of the housing recessbottom wall 18. The housing recess lateral walls 20 include a firstlateral wall 20A and a second lateral wall 20B that face in theY-direction toward each other to be substantially in parallel with eachother. The housing recess longitudinal walls 107 include twolongitudinal walls that face in the Z-direction toward each other to besubstantially in parallel with each other.

As shown in FIG. 21, the base board 6 is housed in the housing recess 17such that the main surface thereof faces in the X-direction. The baseboard 6 is disposed on the housing recess bottom wall 18 such that thefirst short side 203 extends along the first lateral wall 20A, and theback surface of the base board 6 is in contact with the housing recessbottom wall 18.

The retaining member 8 is disposed on the front side of the base board6. The retaining member 8 is a member made of resin and havingflexibility. As shown in FIG. 9, the retaining member 8 includes theouter frame 35 defining an outer edge of the retaining member 8 andhaving a substantially rectangular shape and the multiple vertical beams36 provided between portions of the outer frame 35. The outer frame 35is formed to have a substantially same shape as the edge portion of thebase board 6.

Each of the housing recess lateral walls 20 is provided with the lockingprojections 37. As shown in FIG. 20, the first lateral wall 20A isprovided with two locking projections 37; namely, a first lockingprojection 37A and a second locking projection 37B. The first lockingprojection 37A and the second locking projection 37B each protrudeinward of the housing recess 17 along the Y-direction. The first lockingprojection 37A is positioned on one side of the second lockingprojection 37B in the Z-direction, and these projections are arrangedside by side in parallel with the housing recess bottom wall 18. Thesecond lateral wall 20B is provided with two locking projections 37;namely, a third locking projection 37C and a fourth locking projection37D arranged side by side in parallel with the housing recess bottomwall 18. The third locking projection 37C and the fourth lockingprojection 37D each protrude inward of the housing recess 17 along theY-direction. The first locking projection 37A and the third lockingprojection 37C face each other in the Y-direction, while the secondlocking projection 37B and the fourth locking projection 37D face eachother in the Y-direction.

The first to fourth locking projection 37A to 37D each abut on the frontsurface of the outer frame 35. Thereby, the movement of the retainingmember 8 in the direction away from the housing recess bottom wall 18 isrestricted. In addition, as described above, since the base board 6contacts the housing recess bottom wall 18 with the back surface thereofand contacts the back surface of the retaining member 8 with the frontsurface thereof, the retaining member 8 is locked by the first to fourthlocking projection 37A to 37D, and the base board 6 is sandwichedbetween the retaining member 8 and the housing recess bottom wall 18.

As viewed in the X-direction, the cutout 204 faces the first lockingprojection 37A and the second locking projection 37B in the Y-direction,and the cutout 204 is in a position corresponding to the first lockingprojection 37A and the second locking projection 37B. Further, thecutout 204 is positioned between the housing recess bottom wall 18 andthe outer frame 35 of the retaining member 8 in the X-direction.

The distance between an end of the first locking projection 37A in oneZ-direction and an end of the second locking projection 37B in theopposite Z-direction is smaller than the distance between the first edgewall 205 and the second edge wall 206. Thus, a setting is made such thatthe first locking projection 37A and the second locking projection 37Bcan pass the cutout 204 simultaneously. Each of the distance between theprotruding end of the first locking projection 37A and the protrudingend of the third locking projection 37C and the distance between theprotruding end of the second locking projection 37B and the protrudingend of the fourth locking projection 37D is greater than the distancebetween the third edge wall 207 and the second short side 209.Therefore, at the time of assembly, the base board 6 can be easily movedto the housing recess bottom wall 18 by moving the part between thethird edge wall 207 and the second short side 209 to pass between theprotruding end of the first locking projection 37A and the protrudingend of the third locking projection 37C and between the protruding endof the second locking projection 37B and the protruding end of thefourth locking projection 37D.

The retaining member 8 is provided with the horizontal beam 38 thatconnects approximate centers of the multiple vertical beams 36. In thepresent embodiment, the horizontal beam 38 connects all of the threevertical beams 36. The vertical beams 36 and the horizontal beam 38extend between the adjoining light-emitting elements 5. The retainingmember 8 is formed with the light passing holes 39 that extendtherethrough in the X-direction, where the light passing holes 39 aredefined at positions corresponding to the light-emitting elements 5 bycooperation of the outer frame 35, the vertical beams 36, and thehorizontal beam 38. As shown in FIG. 23, the horizontal beam 38 isprovided with the locking protrusion 40 that protrudes from the backsurface in the X-direction.

The locking protrusion 40 extends through the rectangular through-hole11 and protrudes into the locking recess 23 to be fitted into the same.Because the locking protrusion 40 extends through the rectangularthrough-hole 11, the movement of the base board 6 relative to theretaining member 8 in the direction perpendicular to the protrudingdirection of the locking protrusion 40 is restricted. Because thelocking protrusion 40 is fitted into the locking recess 23, the movementof retaining member relative to the holder member 7 in the directionalong the housing recess bottom wall 18 (X-direction and Y-direction) isrestricted.

As shown in FIGS. 21 and 23, each connection terminal 47 includes, fromthe base end side thereof, the base end portion 47A, the intermediateportion 47B, and the protruding end portion 47C. A part of the base endportion 47A on the base end side thereof is bifurcated into twobranches, each being inserted into the corresponding connection hole 12and soldered onto the corresponding land 13. The base end portion 47Aextends from the connection holes 12 toward the rectangular through-hole11. A part of the base end portion 47A on the protruding end side isbent in the X-direction and extends into the rectangular through-hole 11to be connected with the intermediate portion 47B. The intermediateportion 47B extends along the rectangular through-hole 11 to the backside of the base board 6 and passes between the locking protrusionlongitudinal wall 46 and the locking recess longitudinal wall 30 toreach the locking recess bottom wall 25. The intermediate portion 47B isbent at the locking recess bottom wall 25 and is connected to theprotruding end portion 47C. The protruding end portion 47C extends inthe Y-direction along the locking recess bottom wall 25 (see FIG. 10).The locking recess bottom wall 25 is formed with the multiple grooves 48extending in the direction from the locking recess longitudinal wall 30toward the opening of the insertion recess 22 (Y-direction). In thepresent embodiment, the locking recess bottom wall 25 is formed with twogrooves 48. The part of the protruding end portion 47C adjacent to theintermediate portion 47B is received in the corresponding groove 48, andas shown in FIGS. 10 and 23, the part of the protruding end portion 47Cadjacent to the intermediate portion 47B is sandwiched between thelocking recess bottom wall 25 and the first protruding end surface 43.

As shown in FIG. 23, the protruding end portion 47C extends in thegroove 48 in the Y-direction and protrudes toward the opening of theinsertion recess 22. The protruding end portion 47C protrudessubstantially perpendicularly relative to the insertion recess bottomwall 26 and reaches between the second protruding end surface 44 and thesecond insertion recess lateral wall 28. The second protruding endsurface 44 is positioned on the base end side than the first protrudingend surface 43, and therefore, the second protruding end surface 44 isspaced from the locking recess bottom wall 25 in the X-direction. As aresult, a gap is formed between the second protruding end surface 44 andthe connection terminals 47, and the protruding end of the protrudingend portion 47C protrudes from between the connecting surface 45 and thewall surface of the insertion recess bottom wall 26 which are continuouswith each other. The second protruding end surface 44 is inclined suchthat the distance to the second insertion recess lateral wall 28increases toward the opening of the insertion recess 22.

As shown in FIG. 3, the surface of the housing recess bottom wall 18 onthe side of the protruding direction of the connector part 16 defines abottom wall back surface 54 that is substantially perpendicular to theX-direction. The connector part 16 protrudes from the bottom wall backsurface 54 in the X-direction, and the opening of the insertion recess22 is located on the side of the protruding direction of the connectorpart 16 than the bottom wall back surface 54. As shown in FIG. 23, theopening edge of the insertion recess 22 is connected to the bottom wallback surface 54 via the inclined surface 55 which is inclined in theprotruding direction of the connector part 16 as it approaches theopening of the insertion recess 22.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the outer surface of the housing part 15 isprovided with the multiple locking claws 70 along the opening edge ofthe housing recess 17. As shown in FIG. 4, the cover member 9 is aplate-like member made of a light-transmissive resin. The cover member 9is formed with the engagement holes 71 in an edge portion thereof. Thecover member 9 is coupled to the opening of the housing recess 17 withthe locking claws 70 engaging the engagement holes 71. As shown in FIG.2, the opening of the housing recess 17 is closed by the cover member 9,whereby the holder member 7 and the cover member 9 cooperate to definethe housing chamber 90 for housing the base board 6 and the retainingmember 8.

The cover member 9 is made of a light-transmissive resin and, as shownin FIGS. 2 and 5, includes the cover sidewall 74 and the cover lowerwall 75 connected to the cover sidewall 74 substantiallyperpendicularly. The cover sidewall 74 is colorless and transparent andhas a substantially rectangular shape. The colored member 76 which isred and transparent is provided on the outer surface of the coversidewall 74. As shown in FIG. 1, when the courtesy lamp 194 is attachedto the door trim 3, the outer surface of the colored member 76 iscontinuous with the side surface of the door trim 3. The cover lowerwall 75 is colorless and transparent and has a substantially rectangularshape. When the courtesy lamp 194 is attached to the door trim 3, theouter surface of the cover lower wall 75 is continuous with the lowersurface of the door trim 3. In this embodiment, the cover member 9 ismade of a light-transmissive resin. However, the cover member 9 maypartially have a light-transmissive property.

When the vehicle door 1 is open, electric power is supplied to thelight-emitting elements 5 via the cable 62, and the light-emittingelements 5 emit light. When the light-emitting elements 5 emit light,the cover sidewall 74 of the courtesy lamp 194 lights up in red.Thereby, the courtesy lamp 194 functions as a warning light for thevehicles coming from behind. At the same time, the cover lower wall 75of the courtesy lamp 194 lights up in white, so that the courtesy lamp194 functions to illuminate the foot area of the vehicle occupantgetting in or out of the vehicle.

Next, effects of the courtesy lamp 194 with the above-describedstructure will be described.

At the time of assembly, the base board 6 is obliquely inserted into thehousing recess 17 such that the second short side 209 faces the secondlateral wall 20B, and thereafter, the base board 6 is rotated to movethe first short side 203 toward the bottom of the housing recess 17 suchthat the base board 6 is placed in contact with the housing recessbottom wall 18. During this process, the first locking projection 37Aand the second locking projection 37B simultaneously pass through thecutout 204, and therefore, the base board 6 can be placed easily withoutinterfering with the first locking projection 37A and the second lockingprojection 37B. Further, because the cutout 204 is provided on only thefirst short side 203, the base board 6 has a high rigidity compared to acase where the cutout 204 is provided on each of the first short side203 and the second short side 209. In addition, because the cutout 204is provided on only the first short side 203, the base board 6 can beformed easily.

Moreover, because the cutout 204 is configured such that the firstlocking projection 37A and the second locking projection 37B cansimultaneously pass therethrough, there is no need to form the cutout204 in the base board 6 at each of the positions respectivelycorresponding to the first locking projection 37A and the second lockingprojection 37B. Therefore, the shape of the base board 6 can besimplified, and the base board 6 can be formed easily.

Because the cutout 204 is provided on the outer peripheral edge of thebase board 6, the base board 6 can be placed easily without interferingwith the first locking projection 37A and the second locking projection37B. Further, because the cutout 204 is provided at an approximatelycentral part of the first short side 203, when a load is applied to thefirst short side 203, the load does not concentrate on one of the twoends of the first short side 203, and thus, the load does not tend to beapplied to the base board 6 unevenly. Therefore, deformation of the baseboard 6 does not occur easily.

The cutout 204 is positioned between the outer frame 35 and the housingrecess bottom wall 18. Therefore, the cutout 204 is prevented from beinghit by an object easily, and deformation of the base board 6 does notoccur easily. Because the cutout 204 is sandwiched between the outerframe 35 and the housing recess bottom wall 18, the first short side 203can be retained more firmly between the outer frame 35 and the housingrecess bottom wall 18. Thereby, the retaining member 8 can be retainedstable between the locking projections 37 and the housing recess bottomwall 18.

Owing to the light passing holes 39, the light from the light-emittingelements 5 reaches the opening of the housing recess 17 without beingobstructed by the retaining member 8. Further, because the retainingmember 8 is formed with the light passing holes 39, the retaining member8 has a lighter weight than when formed in a plate-like shape. Inaddition, because the horizontal beam 38 connects the vertical beams 36and is not coupled to the outer frame 35, the outer frame 35 is easy tobend in the Y-direction, and the assembly of the retaining member 8 iseasy.

Concrete embodiments have been described in the foregoing, but thepresent invention is not limited to the above embodiments and may bemodified or altered in various ways. In the above embodiment, theopening of the housing recess 17 was closed by the cover member 9, suchthat the entirety of the retaining member 8 and the base board 6 wascovered, but the present invention is not limited to this embodiment.For instance, an embodiment in which at least part of the retainingmember 8 and at least part of the base board 6 are covered by the covermember 9 may be possible, and in such a case, the cover member 9 canprotect the retaining member 8 from an external load by covering a partof the retaining member 8, and therefore, damage to the retaining member8 can be prevented. Further, the cover member 9 can protect the baseboard 6 from an external load by covering a part of the base board 6,and therefore, damage to the base board 6 can be prevented.

In the third embodiment described above, each of the first lateral wall20A and the second lateral wall 20B was provided with two lockingprojections 37, but three ore more locking projections 37 may beprovided. In such a case, it is preferred if at least two of the lockingprojections 37 can simultaneously pass through a single cutout 204.

In the above embodiment, the lamp unit was applied to the courtesy lamp4, 94, 194, but the present invention is not limited thereto. Forinstance, the lamp unit may be applied to various automotive lights suchas headlights, blinkers, fog lights, tail lights, brake lights,reversing lights, license plate lights, room lamps, etc. Further, thelamp unit may be applied to bicycle lights, flashlights, etc.

The locking projections 37 may be formed at positions that align withthe second projections 102 in the Z-direction. With such aconfiguration, the locking projections 37 abut on an end part of theouter frame 35 that is hard to deform, whereby the base board 6 and theretaining member 8 are prevented from falling off from the housingrecess 17 more reliably.

Further, a configuration may be made such that when the flange portion121 is pushed in to the back side of the door trim 3, the retainingplates 133 flex outward of the door trim opening 130 so that after theattachment is completed, the retaining plates 133 are in press-contactwith the tongues 124. A configuration may also be made such that thecourtesy lamp 4 is attached to the door trim 3 with the claws 134engaging the edge portion of the cover member 9.

Also, the holder member 7 may be formed integrally with the door trim 3,and the cover member 9 may be configured to be detachably attached tothe door trim 3.

GLOSSARY

3 door trim (attachment object)4 courtesy lamp (lamp unit) according to first embodiment5 light-emitting element6 base board7 holder member8 retaining member9 cover member11 through-hole17 housing recess18 recess bottom wall (recess bottom wall)19 housing recess sidewall (recess sidewall)22 insertion recess (connector insertion recess)23 locking recess35 outer frame36 vertical beam37 locking projection (engagement portion)38 horizontal beam39 passing hole40 locking protrusion43 first protruding end surface44 second protruding end surface47 connection terminal48 groove55 inclined surface60 connector80 connector insertion hole90 housing chamber94 courtesy lamp (lamp unit) according to second embodiment101 first projection102 second projection194 courtesy lamp (lamp unit) according to third embodiment203 first short side204 cutout

1. A lamp unit, comprising: a holder member configured to be attached toan attachment object; a base board provided with a light-emittingelement on a main surface thereof; a retaining member that engages theholder member to sandwich the base board between the retaining memberand the holder member such that the base board is retained at aprescribed position on the holder member; and a cover member that is atleast partially light-transmissive and is attached to the holder membersuch that the cover member cooperates with the holder member to define ahousing chamber for housing the base board and the retaining member. 2.The lamp unit according to claim 1, wherein the holder member has ahousing recess for housing the base board and the retaining member, andan inner surface of the holder member is provided with an engagementportion for locking the retaining member.
 3. The lamp unit according toclaim 2, wherein the retaining member has a plate-like shape and isprovided with a light passing hole that extends therethrough at aposition corresponding to the light-emitting element.
 4. The lamp unitaccording to claim 3, wherein the retaining member includes an outerframe formed along an edge portion of the base board and multiple beamsprovided between portions of the outer frame, the outer frame and thebeams defining the light passing hole, and the engagement portionengages the outer frame.
 5. The lamp unit according to claim 4, whereinthe retaining member is provided with first projections respectivelyprojecting from at least two portions of an outer peripheral surface ofthe outer frame that face away from each other such that each firstprojection abuts against a wall surface defining the housing recess. 6.The lamp unit according to claim 5, wherein the retaining member isprovided with a pair of second projections that project from the outerframe toward the base board and abut against corresponding end surfacesof the base board to sandwich the base board therebetween.
 7. The lampunit according to claim 2, wherein a bottom wall of the housing recessof the holder member is provided with a locking recess, and acorresponding part of the retaining member is provided with a lockingprotrusion that protrudes into the locking recess.
 8. The lamp unitaccording to claim 7, wherein the base board is formed with athrough-hole that extends therethrough at a position opposing thelocking recess, and the locking protrusion passes through thethrough-hole and is fitted into the locking recess.
 9. The lamp unitaccording to claim 8, wherein the holder member is provided with aconnector insertion recess that extends from an outer surface to passbetween a bottom wall of the locking recess and an outer surface of theholder member and reaches the locking recess, and a connection terminalextending from the base board to the connector insertion recess bypassing between the locking protrusion and the locking recess.
 10. Thelamp unit according to claim 9, wherein the locking recess extends alonga prescribed axis to reach an approximate center of the connectorinsertion recess, the connector insertion recess extends substantiallyperpendicularly to the axis to reach an approximate center of thelocking recess, the locking recess and the connector insertion recessare connected to each other, the locking protrusion has a firstprotruding end surface and a second protruding end surface, the firstprotruding end surface abuts against the bottom wall of the lockingrecess or the connection terminal, the second protruding end surfacecooperates with a wall surface of the connector insertion recess todefine a connector insertion hole into which a connector is inserted,and the connection terminal passes between the first protruding endsurface and the bottom wall of the locking recess to reach the connectorinsertion hole.
 11. The lamp unit according to claim 10, wherein thebottom wall of the locking recess is formed with a groove for receivingthe connection terminal, and the first protruding end surface and thebottom wall of the locking recess abut against each other.
 12. The lampunit according to claim 11, wherein the second protruding end surface ispositioned on a base end side of the locking protrusion than the firstprotruding end surface, and a gap is formed between the secondprotruding end surface and the connection terminal.
 13. The lamp unitaccording to claim 12, wherein the second protruding end surface isinclined toward the base end in a direction toward an opening of theconnector insertion recess.
 14. The lamp unit according to claim 9,wherein the outer surface of the holder member is formed with aninclined surface that is continuous with an opening of the connectorinsertion recess.
 15. The lamp unit according to claim 1, wherein thelamp unit is a courtesy lamp configured to be mounted to a vehicle door.16. The lamp unit according to claim 1, wherein the holder member isintegrally formed on a door trim of a vehicle door.
 17. A vehicle doorequipped with the lamp unit according to claim 1.